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| Afghanistan |
| Major attack south of Mazar |
| 2001-11-04 |
Anti-Taliban forces said they launched a major attack Sunday in a strategic district south of the Taliban-held city of Mazar-e-Sharif after U.S. jets pounded the area earlier in the day. Opposition spokesman Ashraf Nadeem said the attack in Balkh province was a joint operation involving Uzbek warlord Rashid Dostum, Atta Mohammed of the Jamiat-e-Islami faction and Shiite Muslims led by Mohammed Mohaqik. The three were among opposition Northern Alliance leaders who met last weekend to plan for a major assault on Mazar-e-Sharif before the beginning of the Islamic holy month Ramadan this month and the advent of winter. Nadeem said he expected heavy fighting over the control of Kishanday district in Balkh province, one of three key routes into Mazar-e-Sharif. If Kishanday falls, Nadeem predicted Taliban lines in the two other districts would collapse. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |